Page 1025 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

whether those that bawl out the ruins of thy linen shall inherit his kingdom.
But the midwives say the children are not in the fault, whereupon the world
increases, and kindreds are mightily [25] strengthened.

POINS
How ill it follows, after you have laboured so hard, you should talk so idly!
Tell me, how many good young princes would do so, their fathers being so

sick as yours at this time is? [30]

PRINCE
Shall I tell thee one thing, Poins?

POINS
Yes, faith, and let it be an excellent good thing.

PRINCE
It shall serve among wits of no higher breeding than thine.

POINS
Go to. I stand the push of your one thing that you [35] will tell.

PRINCE
Marry, I tell thee, it is not meet that I should be sad, now my father is sick.

Albeit I could tell to thee, as to one it pleases me, for fault of a better, to call
my friend, I could be sad, and sad indeed too. [40]

POINS
Very hardly upon such a subject.

PRINCE
By this hand, thou thinkest me as far in the devil’s book as thou and Falstaff
for obduracy and persistency. Let the end try the man. But I tell thee, my

heart bleeds inwardly that my father is so sick. And keeping such vile [45]
company as thou art hath in reason taken from me all ostentation of sorrow.

POINS
The reason?